Theater Review: 'Footloose' at Waterbury Arts Magnet School

By Nancy Sasso Janis

The Waterbury Arts Magnet School Theatre Department is presenting a great production of “Footloose” for two performances only on the stage of Waterbury’s Palace Theater. Opening night on Wednesday was the first time in quite a while that I had attended a WAMS spring musical, and I was glad that I did.

The show was produced by principal Nicholas J. Albini. Ms. Alicia Magliaro both directed and choreographed the students in the production, and Mr. Ralph Belvedere is the musical director. The director is in her first year at WAMS and makes her directing and choreographing debut. She writes “‘Footloose’ is a story of having teenagers make a difference and stand up for progressive change. It makes me proud as a teacher to help express that message both on and off the stage.”

The choreography for the opening and closing production number to the title song is great, as is the comic dancing done by the guys in “Mama Says.” There is also a lovely ballet break in “Almost Paradise.”

Footloose was adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Pitchford and music by Tom Snow. Pitchford wrote the lyrics, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

Quinn Soulliere plays Ren McCormack, showing off his wonderful singing voice and acting ability. Soulliere appeared in “Les Miserables” and “The Addams Family” with Landmark Community Theatre

Ariel Moore is played by the talented Billie Labriola, who is a triple threat in the leading role and a joy to watch.

Jaheim Moaze gives an amazing performance as Rev. Shaw Moore. Moaze is a magnificent singer, making “Heaven Help Me” and “I Confess” sound sublime.

Another magnificent singer is Tamika Dessalines in the role of Vi Moore. She makes it look effortless to sing “Can You Find It In Your Heart?” Alex Starr plays Ren’s newly single mother Ethel and brings a great personality to the important role. “Learning to be Silent,” the duet of the two mothers, is well done.

Karlaysia Daniels performs the role of Ren’s aunt Lulu Warnicker and PJ Lawlor plays both Wes Warnicker (Ren’s uncle) and Cowboy Bob.

Ethan Wollman makes the most of the role of Willard Hewitt. Wollman, now a senior at WAMS, is a fine dancer that has to make it look like he cannot dance (in which he is very convincing) and even does a quick change to perform in the “Almost Paradise” ballet. He gives a fine comic performance of the dim character and makes us laugh with him in “Mama Says.” Wollman has appeared at The Thomaston Opera House in "Elf" and "Prayz" and will attend Marist College in the fall.

Community theater performer Nick Bates (Landmark’s “The Addams Family”) takes on the role of Coach Roger Dunbar.

Grace Henderson is a delight in the role of Rusty. Erika Dessalines plays Wendy Jo and Isabella Nizzardo portrays Wendy Jo. This trio work together well for the haunting “Somebody’s Eyes,” perhaps my favorite number in the score, even appearing in a well-lit box seat on stage left.

Jayden Greenlaw plays the not-so-nice Chuck Cranston, Patrick Silva is Travis and Geno Bascetta, who is often seen on the stage at Seven Angels, plays Lyle.

Xavier Margerison appears as a cop, Braelyn McDougall plays both Betty Blast (on roller skates) and a cowgirl, and Megan Pelletier commands the role of the school principal. Connor Marshall is Bickle, Noah Gomez plays Garvin and young Dane Guerrera is pretty cute as an altar boy.

The set design by Jaison Rossi is fleshed out by large projections; the interior of the church reminded me of St. Francis of Assisi in Naugatuck. I liked the graffiti covered wall and a chain link gate that represents the area behind a gas station for “The Girl Gets Around.”

Overall the costumes designed by Karin Lopez worked well, but the mismatched rainbow of choir robes was a bit hard to accept.The sound of some of the ensemble vocal performances was a bit off, but it may have been a problem with the microphones. I loved the drop of balloons for the “Footloose Finale.”

The orchestra, a mix of four student musicians and professionals, plays the score well. Jerold Goldstein, who is also credited as the Musical Director in the program, plays the piano and Max Caserta plays guitar.

The magnet school was one of the ten winners in Concord Theatricals' Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes: The Footloose Competition. Ten schools in low-income communities won a free license package to perform the musical in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its 1998 Broadway opening.

In a promotional video produced by WAMS Video Applications, cast members are seen in rehearsal for “Footloose.” The show is family friendly. Tickets are on sale at the Palace website or can be purchased at the box office.

The show will close on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.